This place was the central hub connecting all the dungeons of the continent and the deepest point accessible to demons.
The Demon King, who resided here, had hidden his body in the pitch-black darkness, a place so secluded that ordinary beings could not even step foot in it.
One by one, high-ranking demons with ferocious appearances approached him.
***
“Have you come?”
“My King… you have truly descended, haven’t you?!”
“Please, lead us, my King!”
The demons knelt down and bowed their heads, showing their utmost respect to their rightful ruler.
“You have all endured much. Now, report the situation.”
“Many demons have been dying from lack of exposure to sunlight. We wished to leave this place, but the scarcity of magic power made it impossible to pass through the dungeon’s gates. A few demons managed to barely escape by breaking through the lack of magic, but given the circumstances, they likely did not survive long. Until your arrival, we were born in these dark, desolate places, only to live and die in the same way, repeating this miserable cycle endlessly.”
Demons inherently required a certain amount of sunlight.
The notion that demons preferred darkness was a rule arbitrarily set by humans who sought to rid themselves of the demons.
‘If the sun aided the growth of all living things, why would demons alone be an exception?’
However, humans found them to be creatures that invoked nothing but fear and hatred.
Failing to find any common ground, the two sides waged countless wars.
Over time, the demons were driven back, retreating deep into dungeons, which became akin to their homeland.
But that wasn’t the only issue.
To roam freely outside, demons needed an ability called “magic energy.”
This was a substance akin to air that existed primarily within dungeons.
As demons expanded their range of activity, this energy spread around them.
Long ago, before humans built sophisticated civilizations, they coexisted with demons to some extent.
But as humans transitioned from tribes to nations and expanded their influence, their hostility toward demons grew.
After countless conflicts and stalemates, the appearance of saints turned the tide against the demons.
As a result, unless a Demon King descended, they were forced to remain hidden here.
***
“Although the years of despair were long, we began noticing a sudden and rapid increase in magic energy. This led to the prosperity of our kin.
It was then that we realized—the time for the Demon King’s birth had come!”
“So, my King, please reveal yourself to us! Grant us the power to drive out the humans and reclaim our domain!”
After listening to their pleas, the Demon King remained silent for a long while.
Finally, he spoke in a tone that seemed almost dismissive.
“I have no intention of revealing myself to you.”
“What…?”
“If you were to see me, you would be unable to overcome your instincts, losing your reason and retaining only your savage nature. The curse that blinds the eyes of our kin, who cannot receive sunlight, would compel you into chaos.”
The Demon King had hidden himself completely in the shadows for this very reason.
His existence alone was enough to supply the demons with sufficient magic to roam the outside world.
At the same time, his presence awakened their primal instincts.
Merely facing the Demon King, a being of unmatched ferocity, drew out the destructive instincts and explosive power within every demon.
This was the purpose of the Demon King, the very embodiment of all the world’s magic energy.
***
“However, is there no other way? The humans have united under the banner of a powerful empire. If we do not seize this opportunity to claim our territory, my King…”
“Have you tried speaking to them?”
“Pardon…?”
“I asked if you have attempted to communicate with them.”
The demons hesitated, their expressions uneasy, and shook their heads.
“Until now, the lack of magic made it impossible for us to leave the dungeons. According to the records left by our predecessors, there has never been a meaningful outcome from such discussions.”
“‘Until now,’ you say?”
“That is correct, but…”
The Demon King seemed to smile—a confident smile befitting one who sought to forge a new path, though it was a smile no one could see.
“I am seriously considering speaking with them.”
“But, my King, they—”
“Are you defying my orders?”
“N-No, of course not!”
“We deeply apologize!”
The Demon King let out a short sigh before speaking again.
“I am sorry. It was not my intention to intimidate you. However, I do not wish to repeat another blood-soaked history without even attempting something different. That, I believe, is the reason for my descent to this world.”
“My King…”
The demons bowed their heads once more and replied in loyal tones.
“We understand. We shall follow your will.”
“With your presence, the magic has become abundant enough. There will now be time to attempt dialogue.”
***
The Demon King then made efforts to communicate with humans.
However, the results were far from favorable.
“Did they attack you?”
“Yes, my apologies… I failed.”
A demon, bleeding profusely from his arm, spoke through gritted teeth as he endured the pain.
“We followed your orders to attempt communication, but… they attacked us first.”
“You returned alive, so it’s fine. Were there any casualties?”
“Fortunately, none. However, our allies in the Gracia region’s dungeon have likely suffered more severe injuries.”
“Is that so… In the end, was this inevitable?”
‘Were the words of the ancestors correct—was it impossible to trust humans?’
“…How many humans were killed?”
“That…”
It was another demon supporting the injured one who answered.
“None were killed.”
“What?”
“Although we were attacked once, we couldn’t defy your great will to pursue dialogue. So we immediately retreated.”
The Demon King remained silent for a long time before finally forcing out his voice, as though squeezing the words from his throat.
“I feel as though I have done you a terrible wrong.”
“It is not your fault, my King.”
The Demon King, holding memories of the past, understood something clearly.
A high-ranking demon capable of standing before him and engaging in conversation could easily kill a human or two without much effort.
But this being had chosen not to.
Because of his command.
After a long period of contemplation, the Demon King spoke in a cautious tone.
“I wish to speak with the wisest among you. Can you bring them to me?”
The demons exchanged glances before slowly nodding.
“Please wait here for a moment, my King.”
***
“You summoned me, my King?”
The figure that appeared was Ballas, the leader of the current demons.
For 120 years, he had endured in a dungeon’s corner, surviving on minimal magic while waiting for an opportunity.
Unlike other demons who perished within a few years due to the lack of magic, Ballas had lasted for 120 years because he had perfected a technique to sustain his life on the bare minimum of magic.
Like humans, demons were born with varying levels of innate magic capacity. Ballas, by chance, was one of those born with a great deal.
Perhaps because of this, his appearance was far more ferocious than other high-ranking demons, exuding a powerful and overwhelming presence that could instill fear in those who simply looked at him.
Of course, even he knelt before the Demon King, the supreme ruler of demons.
***
“So, what is your name?”
“I am Ballas, my King.”
“Ballas, do you believe that attempting to communicate with humans is a foolish endeavor?”
“Foolish, you say… A thinking creature would naturally entertain the possibility. After all, for any intelligent being, coexistence tends to be more advantageous for survival than conflict.”
“Then you agree with my intent?”
Ballas slowly knelt down.
“Forgive my boldness, my King, but humans are not beings of remarkable intelligence.”
“Then are you saying that we demons, who lost the entire continent to such beings, are even less intelligent?”
“Allow me to be more direct. Humans are creatures that prioritize what they see above all else.”
“Oh?”
“If one examines their historical records, it becomes apparent that our appearance and voices elicit an instinctive and overwhelming fear in them. Because of this, they refuse even to consider proper dialogue with us. Even if a few exceptional individuals attempt it, the majority, overcome by their instinctive terror, will reject us.”
“Ballas, are you saying that humans are too frightened by our appearance to engage in dialogue?”
“That is correct. Of course, differences in language systems also hinder communication, but historically, even nonverbal contact has yielded no results.”
The Demon King fell silent, lost for words.
The memories passed down by his predecessors were filled with nothing but blood and terror.
‘Was all of this… because they found us too frightening to look at?’
“From our perspective, humans are also strange and terrifying creatures. Thus, we understand their fear. But rather than choosing nonverbal communication, they decided to shun us entirely.”
“If they were slightly more advanced in their intellect, they might choose dialogue over appearances. Unfortunately, in a situation where communication is impossible, your decision, my King… cannot be entirely meaningless, but it is sadly likely to be futile.”
“Is that so…”
‘Does that mean that my appearance… is just as terrifying?’
***
“Ballas, how do my appearance and presence seem to humans—and to you?”
“As you know, my King, you stand at the pinnacle of our kind. To ordinary beings, merely looking upon you would be enough to render them unconscious. Not just humans, but even lower demons would faint from the overwhelming aura you exude. High-ranking demons, too, lose their reason and go berserk when meeting your gaze. It would be impossible for lesser demons to endure.”
“So I am so horrifying to behold… that simply looking at me causes one to faint?”
“We, as demons, see you as possessing an appearance fitting for the King of Demons, exuding an aura of majesty. However, from the perspective of humans, your appearance might indeed be seen as… monstrous.”
“…”
The Demon King remained silent for a long time before speaking again.
“Are you the same?”
“Excuse me, my King? Could you clarify your question?”
“I am asking whether merely standing before me causes you to lose reason and fall prey to your instincts.”
Ballas bowed deeply and answered, “I am ashamed to admit, my King, that even I, who have endured for so long and grown somewhat accustomed to handling magic, can maintain my reason for only about three minutes.”
“Three minutes? Very well, then…”
The Demon King slowly revealed himself from the shadows.
“What do you think?”
Ballas could barely meet the Demon King’s gaze.
His voice trembled violently as he managed to squeeze out a response.
“Y-Your Majesty…! I apologize! I must retract my earlier statement. I believe I can maintain my reason for only 30 seconds. So please… conceal yourself once more!”
The Demon King returned to the shadows, observing Ballas as he gasped for air.
He couldn’t bring himself to say anything.
“…I am sorry, Ballas.”
“It is not your fault, my King. I understand your lofty ideals. However, if humans become aware of your presence, they are likely to launch an assault on us, preemptively eliminating us before we can act. Historically, whenever a ‘Saint’ appeared, they would gather to hunt down the Demon King. For them… merely knowing that we exist is an unforgivable crime.”
“This is the extent of my opinion, my King. Of course, I will follow whatever decision you make. However, if you intend to act, I ask that you decide swiftly. With your permission, I will now take my leave.”
***
After Ballas departed, the Demon King fell into endless contemplation.
‘Was I born merely to incite further conflict and lead the demons into battle against humanity once more? Am I… nothing more than a being meant to perpetuate war?’
He repeated these unanswerable questions over and over again, directing them at himself—a being with an appearance too terrifying to bear.